Despite originally being written in 1992, around the time that Kerplunk was released by Lookout! Records, the song was not recorded in a studio until the band began work on their fifth studio album, Nimrod, released in 1997. The song was previously considered for release on Dookie after being recorded as a piano demo. The song was later re-recorded and considered for release on the band's seventh record American Idiot but it did not make the cut. This version was not officially released until April 13, 2010 when it appeared on American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording. It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2010 through the band's label Reprise Records.

The single is available in the UK iTunes store along with Amazon's digital download service.

The song was performed at 924 Gilman Street in November 18, 1992 and made rare appearances in some shows of the 21st Century Breakdown World Tour, performed solo by Billie Joe Armstrong on an acoustic guitar.

The song also appeared in most setlists during the European tour of 2010. It is also the third single from Green Day that was not accompanied by a music video, such as the cases of "She" and "J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)".

Due to the sensitive nature of the lyrics, the director of the American Idiot musical, Michael Mayer, had to receive special permission from the band to offer an acoustic solo version sung by John Gallagher Jr. as a number for the production.

The 1996 demo of the song was included on the 25th anniversary release of the band's fifth studio album Nimrod. ^[2]

The original piano demo of the song was included in the 30th anniversary release of the band’s third studio album Dookie.^[3]

The song began its chart performance on the UK Singles Chart on June 20, 2010. It entered at no. 71 and peaked at no. 68 the next week where it stayed for one week, the highest position it achieved.^[4]